Travel Album: Philadelphia

Now THIS is what a train station concourse should look like! What a glorious space. (30th Street Train Station)

Exploring Philadelphia on foot.

I arrived in Philadelphia by train from New York City, and was delighted by the marvellous vaulting space of 30th Street Train Station. The station was restored and renovated in a $75 million project completed in 1991. From the 90-foot ceilings to the marble columns to the gold leaf gilding, it looks fantastic. A great introduction to the city. I was in Philadelphia in late May for a conference, but managed to get in two walks — one on the way to a supermarket which revealed unexpected (to me) back streets that reminded me of English villages, and the other around the Old City area with its historical sites commemorating the push for independence from England.

The supermarket in question was the Whole Foods store on South Street, and my hotel was near City Hall, so I walked along South 12th Street. Although I was heading out for food supplies, I had my camera with me (of course!), and was soon snapping away at the lovely old tree-lined side streets.

These side streets were not what I expected to find in Philadelphia.

These side streets were not what I expected to find in Philadelphia.

City Hall is definitely worth a look! “At 548 ft (167 m), including the statue of city founder William Penn atop it, it was the tallest habitable building in the world from 1894 to 1908 … it was built between 1871 and 1901 at a cost of $24 million.” (source)

City hall

City hall

City hall (that’s William Penn on top)

City hall – looking up at the statues

City hall interior

One morning, when the conference sessions were not relevant to my work, I took the train to 2nd Street station and followed a self-guided walking tour of old buildings and monuments.

Merchants Exchange Building

Merchants Exchange Building

I’m not sure what this is! It might be the First Bank of the US.

Independence Hall

National Constitution Center

Along the way I passed a lovely little park …

Green oasis

Green oasis

… more quaint side streets …

Leafy side streets

Leafy side streets

… Benjamin Franklin (one of the Founding Fathers of the United States) …

Benjamin Franklin bust

… and things cluttering up the sidewalk …

Red chair blocking the sidewalk

Geraniums blocking the sidewalk

… and then I stopped for coffee and a muffin. I forget the name of the coffee shop, but I loved the interior lights!

Coffee shop lights

Coffee shop lights

Then it was on to Elfreth’s Alley. “Named for blacksmith and property-owner Jeremiah Elfreth, Elfreth’s Alley was home to the 18th century artisans and trades-people who were the backbone of colonial Philadelphia. … While a modern city has sprung up around it, the Alley preserves three centuries of evolution through its old-fashioned flower boxes, shutters, Flemish bond brickwork and other architectural details.” (source)

Elfreth’s Alley — it’s rare to see any flag other than the American one in the US!

Elfreth’s Alley

Elfreth’s Alley

Elfreth’s Alley

This is actually an alley off Elfreth’s Alley.

This is actually an alley off Elfreth’s Alley.

If you have enjoyed these walks in Philadelphia, check out Jo’s Monday Walk to see where other bloggers have been walking.

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